How to Balance Your New Career in Politics with Family Life

There are few careers that require as much time, focus, and energy as a life in politics. If you’ve put in your dues and obtained your online masters in political science and are now making your way up the greasy ladder, then you are discovering first-hand just how demanding it is. There is no such thing as a 40-hour work week, which can cause issues in your work/family balance.

So how can you take that online degree in political science from a top-notch school like George Washington University and turn it into a rewarding and enjoyable career, all while having that perfect balance of family life? Here are some tips you can make use of.

Make Sure to Include Down Time in Your Schedule

In a busy field such as politics, your day tends to run based on a schedule. You’ve probably got all your meetings and appointments in there, but what about your downtime? It’s just as important to make the effort to schedule downtime on a daily basis.

Downtime may include going to see a movie with the kids, enjoying a family dinner at everyone’s favorite restaurant, or simply sitting on the couch and catching up on each other’s days. The point is that you need to make an effort to ensure this is included in your schedule and that it doesn’t get pushed aside. Once it is scheduled in there, you need to stick to it.

Learn What Isn’t Important

There are all kinds of things we “should” be doing, but many of them just aren’t necessary. Take, for example, the gardening. Sure, you should attend to it on a regular basis, but is it absolutely necessary? Should you drive yourself crazy trying to fit everything into your day just to get out there and do the gardening?

Some tasks, chores, and errands just aren’t that important and therefore can be put off until another day where you’ve got more time available. Learning how to identify these less important items is key to your sanity.

Don’t Waste Time on Activities that Aren’t Good for You

Take a good look at your life: are you involved in activities, clubs, associations that feel like they are just sucking the energy out of you? If so, why keep up with them? Do yourself a favor and lighten the load, both mentally and physically. That time you free up can then be spent on family activities instead.

Explain the Demands of Your Job to Your Family

Part of balancing your work and personal life is having people support you and understand your challenges. It’s important to sit down with your family members and let them know just how demanding your job is, but that you want to do the best you can to ensure there is a balance between your job and your family.

Often, it takes a bit of trial and error before you can find that perfect balance, but once you do you’ll see just how much more relaxing and satisfying it can be.

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Welcome to ABC at Home! The woman/parenting/homeschooling/entrepreneur resource brought to you by a busy, but efficient mother! I write articles about travel, business, finance and many more subjects for stay-at-home parents (yes, that includes men too) so that our kids can thrive as much as we do.